Social theorists have yet to assess the cultural implications of population aging. This book traces the historical emergence of stereotypes of retirement and documents their latter-day dissolution, making striking use of visual sources, especially photography. Policy perceptions, media images and popular understandings are shown to suggest that the extended leisure phase known as the Third Age is breaking down old barriers between mid and later life. However, as the "gray market" perpetuates the quest for eternal youth, the biological realities of deep old age present an increasingly...

Perspectives from history, sociology and cultural studies are blended in this exploration of Scottish identity in the 20th century. Andrew Blaikie uses case studies to problematise how we interpret Scotland's recent past, which are set against the diversity of lived experiences.